28 days in fatal bike accident

September 3, 2014

LISBON - A Tennessee man who wrecked a motorcycle last fall, killing his passenger, pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter in Columbiana County Municipal Court on Tuesday morning.

Richard B. Hall, 29, Kingsport, Tenn., was sentenced by Judge Carol Robb to spend 28 days in the county jail. He also had his license suspended for two years, was fined $250 and required 50 hours community service.

Kara N. Molnar was the passenger on the 2003 Triumph motorcycle on the afternoon of Sept. 26, 2013 when Hall failed to negotiate a leftward curve on state Route 9 in Butler Township and went off the right side of the roadway into a heavily wooded area, ejecting both of them. At the time, Hall was driving with a 12-point suspension and did not possess a motorcycle endorsement.

Molnar was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. She was 21 years old.

Her parents, who are reportedly separated, made much different statements before Robb sentenced Molnar in the case.

Karen Molnar said she wanted to thank everyone at the court for working with them to come to a resolution in the case.

"I know it's not going to bring my daughter back," said Molnar, who was sitting in the courtroom with Hall prior to his hearing.

Dennis Molnar said he did not believe 28 days in jail was enough for taking his daughter's life. He pointed out "the boy" had no license and went off a curve for no reason at all.

"I really just think it's a crock," Dennis Molnar said of the 28-day sentence being recommended in the plea agreement between Assistant County Prosecutor Megan Forsythe and defense attorney Colleen Hall Dailey. "That's merely nothing when you talk about the loss of a life."

Robb thanked both of the parents for coming and offered each of them her condolences on their loss.

"I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive," Robb said, adding 180 days is the most possible for a vehicular manslaughter charge. "Whether it's 180 days or 28 days is immaterial, because it's not going to bring the young lady back."

Robb also pointed out Hall will also have to live with what he has done for the rest of his life.